Natural insecticides from native plants of the Mediterranean basin and their activity for the control of major insect pests in vegetable crops: shifting from the past to the future

Abstract

The Mediterranean basin thrives in native plant species are able to produce numerous derivatives that can be used for insect pest control. This article provides an up-to-date overview of the most important native plant species commonly found in this region that have a certain insecticidal value in vegetable crops. Regarding the insecticidal activity of extracts from selected native species, results from both laboratory and field experiments will be also presented to highlight the potential of the latter as alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Considering the great diversity in ingredients among the various plant species, it is essential to record and describe the chemical composition of these species, in conjunction with their insecticidal activity against the main insect pests of vegetable crops. The review concludes in underlining the critical points for increasing the effectiveness and consequently the practical use of natural insecticides in crop protection. Moreover, emphasis is given in understanding the importance of the production of standardized and stable natural resource-based insecticides through the development of suitable formulations, such as capsule suspension that protects the active ingredients from environmental degradation and improves their residual activity.